Withit Names 2015 WOW Award Nominees

Furniture World News Desk on 12/13/2014

Carolyn Kinder

WithIt, the women’s leadership development network serving the home furnishings industry, announced that it will present its prestigious Legacy Award to Carolyn Kinder, founder and chief executive of CAROLYN KINDER, Inc., during the 2015 WOW Awards dinner and ceremony. The Awards are set for Sunday, January 18, 2015, opening night of the Winter Las Vegas Market, and International Market Centers (IMC) is once again serving as lead sponsor of the exciting event.

The annual awards recognize business leaders nominated by their peers who have contributed to the success of the home furnishings industries and have demonstrated significant impact on their companies, the industry, or both. WithIt (Women’s Leadership Development Network) has presented the honors since 1999.

Kinder is being honored as a woman of achievement who has made significant lifetime contributions to the home furnishings industry. Carolyn Kinder International was founded in 2002. With headquarters in China, this multi-dimensional company focuses on sourcing, design development, multi-product licensing partnerships, and direct importing for the home furnishings industry.

A consummate visionary, Carolyn’s career started as an artist and blossomed into one of today’s entrepreneurial success stories. Carolyn Kinder Inc., a new design firm was founded in 1992 that began licensing designs for category leaders in the industry. Present and past clients include: IMAX, Uttermost, Austin, Seagull, Thomas Lighting, Stanley Mirror, Home Depot, Sears’ The Great Indoors, JCPenney, Magnusen Home, Casa Bique, Lazzaris, Crescent, Neilson Bainbridge, Larson Juhl and Kinder-Harris.

In addition to honoring Kinder’s legacy in the industry, WithIt will present WOW Awards in four additional categories: Education, Mentoring, Leadership and Future Leader. Nominees for these awards include: Deb Barrett, Window Dressings, Katy Garrett, Connexionsoft Inc., and Maria Killam, Maria Killam Colour and Design, Education; Sharron Bradley, North American Home Furnishings Association, Patrick Cory, Cory Home Delivery, and Lorri Kelley, Palliser, Mentoring; Jennifer Appleby, Wray Ward, Deborah Klein, DK Inside Designer, Inc., and Libby Langdon, Libby Interiors, Inc., Leadership; and Julia Marks, Picture Source, Emily Severson, FurnitureDealer.net and Erinn Valencich, Erinn V. Design Group, Future Leader. Recipients in each category will be announced during the event.

“The WOW Awards are an opportunity to honor executives of significant achievement, at a glamorous event unlike any other in our industry,” says Sara Lyke, executive director of

WithIt. “We invite everyone attending the Las Vegas Market to join us in this important celebration.”

The Awards Celebration will take place Sunday, January 18th, at the IMC World View on Floor 16, building B. Cocktails begin at 6:30 p.m., with the seated dinner and awards presentation beginning at 7:00. Tickets are $150 each, and on sale now at www.withit.org. WOW Awards sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact Sara Lyke, director@withit.org.

About WithIt: WithIt was formed in 1997 for women in the home and furnishings industries in order to support their multi-dimensional career paths. The not-for-profit network is based in North Carolina and supported by leading companies across the industry. WithIt’s purpose is to encourage and develop leadership, mentoring, education and networking opportunities for professional women in the home and furnishings industries. The WOW Awards are produced by WithIt in partnership with International Market Centers (IMC) and is sponsored by leading industry brands.